discussion question
1. Why might a company decide to establish an internal audit department (IAD)?
2. Why was The Schwan Food Company, a private company, motivated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (legislation pertaining only to public companies) that may have caused The Schwan Food Company to change its internal control practices and corporate governance structure.
3. Given The Schwan Food Company's particular situation and set of circumstances at the time that their internal audit function was implemented, what essential characteristics and qualifications should their new Chief Audit Executive (CAE) have possessed?
4. Exhibit3 includes The Schwan Food Company's Internal Audit Services Charter. Briefly discuss why each of the sections of this charter is necessary and appropriate.
5. Undoubtedly, many non-audit employees at any organization might be initially imtimidated at the thought of the establishment of an internal audit department and having to answer questions from internal auditors. What might The Schwan Food Company's new Chief Audit Executive have done to alleviate these initial fears and concerns? What steps could the new CAE have taken to reduce the "us vs. them" relationship between The Schwan Food Company's non-audit employees and the staff of internal auditors?